Christine Todd Whitman, 
former governor of New Jersey

Christine Todd Whitman, while still Governor of New Jersey, aggressively opposed needle exchange programs saying it would send a message to young people that drug use was acceptable.  During her term of office, Whitman succeeded in closing down New Jersey's one small needle exchange and preventing others from opening. 

Keeping needle exchange out of the state did not reduce injecting drug use.  A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, during a large part of the period that Governor Whitman was in office, injecting drug use increased in New Jersey, with the greatest increase occurring among young adults aged 18 and 25 living in suburban and rural areas.⁽¹⁾  

	Letters from former Governor Whitman explaining her position: Letter 1/10/96,  Letter 5/19/98, Letter 8/5/98
	For a discussion of Christine Whitman's position in the context of others opposed to needle exchange programs, see The opposition.
	For support of needle exchange, see the letter from David W. Troast, chair of the Governor's Advisory Council on AIDS under Governor Whitman.

Footnote

(1) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2001. "Trends in injection drug use among persons entering addiction treatment - New Jersey, 1992-1999.  May 18. pages 378-381.

For a list of materials used on this website, see References.